CHAPTER 177: EVALUATION TEST [3]

"It’s fine." The girl said, her lips quirked up slightly, teasing. "You are actually a student here, right? I don’t wanna get caught helping some terrorist infiltrate the academy or something, that’d be really bad for me."

Alaric shook his head his, laughing lightly. "Don’t worry, I’m not."

She giggled. "Good, because you owe me now."

"I know." He nodded. "I’ll make it up to you. Promise."

She shifted the toolbox to her hip, then extended her free hand. "By the way, I’m Elena."

Alaric looked at her hand then smiled and took it. "Alaric."

They shook once.

Then he released her hand and stepped back. "I should go. Get cleaned up before someone sees me like this."

"Yeah." She waved at him. "Bye then."

"Bye."

Alaric turned and walked away. His pace quickened once he rounded the corner, heading for the dorm entrance.

Behind him, Elena stood there. Watching until he disappeared from sight.

Then her hand tightened around the toolbox handle.

Tightened more.

The metal groaned. Bent.

CRACK!

Then finally cracked.

The toolbox hit the ground, tools spilling across the cobblestones.

"So my guess was right."

The words came out quiet. Cold.

Her hazel eyes burned with something fierce and terrible.

"It was really you."

She stared at the empty path where he’d been.

"Alaric."

****************

Alaric moved through the corridor. His hand found the doorknob and twisted. The door swung open with a quiet creak.

He stepped inside. Letting the door close behind him with a soft click.

Sigh!

I need to change.

He grabbed the hem of his tattered shirt, pulled it over his head and dropped it on the floor, and headed for the bathroom.

He turned on the essence embedded taps, that could adjust the temperature of the water.

Steam began to fill the small space.

Then he removed his remaining clothes and began bathing.

The water hit his skin hot enough to sting. He tilted his head back, letting it cascade over his face, his shoulders. Washing away dried blood and dirt and forest debris.

He sighed.

"Much better."

His muscles loosened under the heat. The tension in his neck eased slightly.

He stayed there longer than necessary. Just breathing.

Eventually the water turned lukewarm. Then he stopped and grabbed the towel hanging nearby.

Dried himself in rough, efficient movements.

He wrapped the towel around his waist and stepped out.

His room felt cooler after the steam. The air touched his damp skin, raising goosebumps.

Alaric moved to his wardrobe. Pulled out a dark gray shirt and pants.

Once dressed, he turned toward the window.

The sun hung lower now, half-swallowed by the horizon. Sky turned orange, clouds edged in gold. The breeze stirred tree branches, leaves rustling softly.

Alaric’s hands gripped the windowsill.

And he sighed again.

Why can’t I remember anything?

His fingers moved up to rub his temples. The headache had dulled but hadn’t left completely.

I remember getting out of that inn. Then getting chased by some weird guys. But then...

Nothing.

"Ugh!"

The sound came out frustrated.

He dropped his hands. Stared out at the darkening sky.

Then suddenly-

GRRRR

The sound came loud.

Alaric looked down at his stomach.

"Well, we can brood about it later. First let’s get dinner."

He turned from the window. Crossed the room in a few strides and pulled the door open and stepped into the corridor.

Just as he was walking, a translucent panel materialized in front of him.

[Quest: Upgrade System to Level 4 Requirements Met!]

[15,000 DP/15,000 DP]

[Would host like to continue with the upgrade?]

[Yes/No]

Alaric stopped walking.

Stared at the notification and blinked.

What the? It’s completed already?

He scratched his head.

Just what the hell did I do?

Then he started moving again.

"Yes."

The panel flashed once in acknowledgment.

[Upgrading system....]

[1%... 7%... 9%...]

The percentage climbed steadily. Alaric kept walking, eyes tracking the numbers as they increased.

[31%... 45%... 58%...]

His pace slowed slightly. The corridor stretched ahead, empty for now.

[69%... 79%... 89%... 99%... 100%]

[Initializing system... 1%... 69%... 100%]

[Ding!]

[System upgrade completed!]

[System level= 4]

[Ding!]

The notifications cascaded down his vision in rapid succession.

[New features Acquired: Inventory Upgrade | Fuse]

[New Skills Acquired: Obedience Chains | Gluttony | Loyal Subjects]

[Ding!]

[STATUS]

Name: Brandon ___ (Past Life: Alaric Noir)

Race: ____

Age: _____

Bloodline: _____ (Partially Awakened)

Title: Slave, Model Servant, Prince of Blackthorn, (The Fallen King)

Essence Path: The Path of #$#&##@##

Sub-Path: Flame, Lightning

Rank: C

EXP: 30/15,000

Stats:

STR: 132

AGI: 132

END: 132

WIL: 132

CHA: 132

INT: 132 (??)

Free stat points: 345

DP: 0

Skill Tree:

Basic Lightning Spells (F) [New]: Lightning Bolt

Intermediate Fire Spell (B): Fireball, Flame Arrow, Burst Step

Scorchblade Arts (S): • 1st Form – Flame Blade • 2nd Form – Flame Slash • 3rd Form – Blazing Mirage

Dominion’s Gaze (A)

Regnant Strike (B)

Obedience Chains (A) (New): [Allows user to bind foes with chains of absolute authority, making them unable to resist any command from the host. Only works on those who have lower willpower than user. Effect remains until user unbinds the target. Can bind 3 maximum.]

Gluttony (S) (New): [User can take and absorb the skills of enemies they have defeated.]

Loyal Subjects (S) (New): [User can bestow stats to subjugated targets using Domination Points.]

Scanner Shop: Advanced Tier Items

Obedience Meter: 1 (70%)

Loyalty Meter: 1 (80%)

DP Exchange: Unavailable (Insufficient Domination Points)

Inventory Upgrade (New): Can store 1 living thing in the inventory

Fuse (New): Can fuse items in the inventory to make them more powerful

(Usage: Once a day)

System Level: 4

Next Upgrade: 100,000 DP

??? (System Level 5 required)

Alaric stopped walking completely.

Stood there in the middle of the corridor, staring at the information flooding his vision.

His eyes scanned through it. Once. Twice.

Damn... These new skills. All S-rank.

The implications sat heavy in his mind. S-rank didn’t just happen. Those were the kind of skills that—

Then his gaze caught on something else.

The top of the status window.

Name: Brandon ___ Race: ____ Age: _____

The blanks...

Alaric’s eyes widened.

His breath caught somewhere in his throat.

What the?